Blue Cross expands cover as healthcare costs pressure firms

Average group premiums are expected to exceed HK$10,000 per employee.

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance has launched an upgraded Caring Medical Protection Plus plan for existing group medical insurance members as rising healthcare costs put pressure on employers to manage employee benefits.

Hong Kong’s medical trend rate is projected to reach 10.5% this year, according to Health Trends 2026. Research by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University also estimates that the average premium per employee for group medical insurance will exceed $1,275.74 (HK$10,000) in 2026.

The upgraded plan allows employees covered under Blue Cross group medical insurance to add individual and family protection for their spouses and children. 

It also allows policyholders to maintain coverage when they change jobs or retire.

Alongside Basic Hospital and Surgical Benefits, the plan offers three optional benefits: outpatient, dental and supplementary medical coverage. 

Eligible expenses under the optional benefits are reimbursed at 80%, with customers paying the remaining 20%. Selected outpatient plan levels also do not require network co-payment when customers use in-network providers.

The plan generally does not require underwriting, whilst pre-existing conditions are covered subject to the policy terms. 

Coverage can be renewed annually until age 100. Basic Hospital and Surgical Benefits are available worldwide, whilst cashless arrangements are offered for gastroscopy and colonoscopy day procedures.

Blue Cross is also expanding its healthcare network in the Greater Bay Area. Its partners include United Family Healthcare, Hong Kong Integrated Oncology Centre and HEAL Oncology under New Frontier Group, and Zhongshan Chen Xinghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.